DO WE “CRUISE ALONG” OR GO AT FULL SPEED?

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. [35] By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35 (NRSV)

A re-occurring topic in our retirement community is the ‘good old days’; episodes from this bygone era are usually fondly recalled. However, a purchase of a new car by a senior in our group prompted a discussion comparing features of the new model with those of earlier times. A variety of opinions emerged as to what was the biggest improvement: Some candidates were the electrical starter, a good heating system, air-conditioning, automatic transmission, and power steering. As the merit of each of these advances was debated, our discussion was interrupted by a comment, “All of these improvements are great but my favorite is cruise control as it keeps me out of trouble!” We were a bit surprised by this assertion and wondered whether the speaker was serious or speaking in jest. But he re-asserted the value of his choice and added that it allowed one to relax and not pay attention to the speedometer to make sure one was not going get a ticket.

Later as I pondered on his observation I reflected on how often as believers we may be applying the idea of cruise control to our obedience of God’s command to love one another. Our level of obedience seems to be often governed by the people around us. We don’t really want to lag behind and seem different but also we’re not eager to forge ahead and seem overly pious so we just blend in with the crowd!

It is relatively easy to make observations about the tendencies of others, but what about each of us? How often do we go out of our way to express love without any hope of payback or any thought of recognition? Are we more interested in being shown love than to show it? Do we really strive to become less self-centered and more Christ-centered? Are we just sin-avoiders or are we really His disciples? Might we more truly obey His command by abandoning our ‘cruise controls’ and begin traveling at full speed ahead?